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Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder are Rhode Island's premier flatfish species found throughout the Ocean State's coastal waters from Nova Scotia to Florida, with their center of abundance in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Scientific Name: Paralichthys dentatus

Also known as fluke

Physical Characteristics:
  • These left-eyed flatfish have both eyes on the same side and exhibit remarkable camouflage abilities, adapting their coloration from nearly white on sand to various shades of brown, gray, and green to match their surroundings.
  • Adult summer flounder typically reach 40-56 cm and weigh 1-2.3 kg, with females growing larger than males.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout the Ocean State's coastal waters from Nova Scotia to Florida, with their center of abundance in the Mid-Atlantic region.
  • Summer flounder prefer sandy substrates near structure like docks, bridges, jetties, and channel edges, often burying themselves in sand to ambush prey.

Key Locations

  • Prime locations include Block Island areas, Newport and Jamestown Bridge vicinity, Austin Hollow Jamestown, Brenton Reef area to 80 feet, Warwick Light, Sakonnet River area extending 3 miles offshore, and various spots around Narragansett Bay.
  • They're found throughout Narragansett Bay, around Block Island, off Point Judith, near Newport and Jamestown bridges, and in coastal areas from Westerly to Sakonnet Point.
  • Key locations mentioned by successful anglers include the Block Island Wind Farm area, deep channels throughout Narragansett Bay, and areas with good current flow over sandy bottom near structure.

Specific Spots

  • Target channel edges, drop-offs, sandy areas adjacent to structure like jetties and ledges, and humps/bumps on the bottom.
  • Productive areas include 10-20 meter depths, though larger fish often found deeper.

Summer Flounder FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Summer Flounder in Rhode Island?

Top baits include squid (whole or strips), live/frozen shrimp, live minnows, strips cut from fresh-caught fish (especially fluke belly), and commercial baits like Gulp shrimp and swimming mullet. White bucktail jigs with squid strips are highly effective, as are soft plastics on jig heads.

When is the best time to fish for Summer Flounder in Rhode Island?

Summer flounder fishing in Rhode Island is productive from May through December, with peak activity occurring when water temperatures range from 56-72°F, particularly in the 62-66°F sweet spot.

How do you catch Summer Flounder in Rhode Island?

Essential technique involves drifting with tide and wind in the same direction, since fluke face into current to feed - drag bait over the front of them. Fish respond well to slow, steady retrieves bouncing bottom.

What do Summer Flounder eat?

They're opportunistic predators with large mouths and well-developed teeth, primarily feeding on small fish (over 61% of diet by weight), cephalopods (34% for fish over 31cm), and crustaceans including mysids, crabs like Cancer irroratus, and sand lance.

Where do Summer Flounder live in Rhode Island?

Found throughout the Ocean State's coastal waters from Nova Scotia to Florida, with their center of abundance in the Mid-Atlantic region. Summer flounder prefer sandy substrates near structure like docks, bridges, jetties, and channel edges, often burying themselves in sand to ambush prey.

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